Sing for Me, Cry for Me

14. Make it Three.


"Are you sure about that?" asked Ron.

"No, but it's worth a try. What if he knows something? But even if he doesn't I'd feel much better with him near me and not somewhere in the corner. It freaks me out. He became my shadow. And I don't want him to be one. I think he's much better than that."

Ron snorted.

Harry looked at him crossly.

"I mean it Ron. I know you don't like him much. I don't like him much either. I have too many reasons to dislike him. After all it's his entire fault that I'm in that mess. Though, no, I don't think so. I don't know what to think. It's really confusing. One moment I think that it's his and Snape's fault, another moment I think that it's just an unfortunate coincidence, and still another moment I think that it all was meant to be. Anyway, he'll be shortly here. I saw him leaving the Great Hall when we were turning the corner and he knows perfectly well where we were heading. We'll just have to wait couple of minutes."

They seated themselves in the library and took out their things.

"Tell me Harry. This new hobby of yours. What is it really about?"

"What d'you mean?" asked Harry shuffling through his stuff.

"What I mean is: is it about taking revenge on Hermione, or forgetting Lucius, or learning new things just for learning itself, or maybe you're just trying to prove something to your own self or to others?"

"I do want to show Granger that I can be as smart, no smarter that she, and I do want to forget Lucius for the time being, and I find that I really do like learning new things and I like to be the first. It makes you confident and aspiring and you want to achieve more and more. I want to be the top of the class. Maybe it's too late and my ambitions were asleep for most of my school life but admit it I had other things on my mind and maybe I wouldn't do it if things hadn't changed and hadn't pushed me to seek for something new, but they changed and I changed and I want to know more and more. I want new information pouring out of me, I want to be smart and intelligent and accomplished and…" he dropped his head on his hands.

"And?" inquired Ron.

"It's stupid." muffled Harry.

"It never stopped you before."

"I don't want to talk about it right now. Maybe later."

"As you wish. I won't push you."

"I know. Here he comes."

Harry was carefully watching Draco Malfoy silently gliding into the library and taking a seat at his usual corner.

"You, know, now that I know that he follows me I really don't think he's doing a great job of being unnoticed. Couldn't Lucius buy him an invisibility cloak or something. I'm sure he can afford it."

"Counting Malfoy fortune already? And you haven't even married yet."

"Like I haven't got fortune of my own."

It was only several minutes later that Harry caught up with the last part of Ron's speech.

"What did you just say? My advice to you, Ron, if you have nothing wise to say, do keep your mouth shut." he shook his head while Ron snickered, "You know I'm really thinking about adopting point system in our friendship."

"And what it would be like?"

"Like a game. Imagine that you have a total of 100 points. If you say or do something that can be considered as a low blow by me, I take 10 points. Well I can take any number of points depending on gravity of your transgression. Of course I'm not unfair and if you do something that can be considered by me again as a noble thing I will award you points. If you lose points you have to make up for them that is you have to perform different nasty tasks or punishments I will assign you though I won't be giving you points for that." Harry smiled cruelly, "In this case you will be very careful and think twice before you say anything at all."

"And what happens if I lose all the points?"

Harry made huge eyes:

"Oops!"

"You know it sounds like you are my master. You can do anything. I can do nothing. How am I supposed to know what you think is right and what is wrong?"

"Well, and why were we friends for such a long time, dear Ron. Besides, you don't honestly think that such a system should be applied to me as well?"

"Yes, I think!" said Ron defiantly.

"But, Ron!" said Harry sighing dramatically and biting his lower lip, "How can you be so cruel? I am almost an angel. There's definitely nothing wrong or bad I can either say or do to you. You, on the other hand…"

"I don't believe it! An angel?"

"Almost an angel. But yes." answered Harry haughtily.

"So, Ronnie, are we adopting this new system of mine, or are you behaving yourself?"

"Let's…" started Ron but immediately was silent down by a very enthusiastic Harry.

"I know! I know what we are going to do to you!" said Harry almost dancing on his chair.

"I'm afraid to ask."

"You should be. We are going to imagine that you are on probation."

"What?" yelled Ron full force.

"Shh, Ron, we're in the library." said Harry reprovingly smiling coyly to Madame Pince who had just come over to reprimand Ron for his outburst.

"You should listen to your friend, Mr. Weasley." she said strictly to Ron but her face melted into a smile when she caught the sight of Harry still giving her a smile of his own.

"I don't believe it." muttered Ron shaking his head.

Harry smirked.

"So where were we. Oh, right, you are on probation my dear friend."

And before Ron could protest any further Harry took the largest book from his pile winked at Ron and headed towards Draco Malfoy who couldn't understand what the hell was going on.

***

Harry dropped his book on Draco's table with a bang.

Draco who pretended to be deeply engrossed in reading didn't expect that which made the effect of a book falling still more successful when he jumped up and yelled:

"POTTER, WHAT THE HELL?"

"Mr. Malfoy!" cut severe voice of the librarian, "If you can't keep quiet I will demand that you leave."

Draco scowled. Harry smirked. Draco sat down and tried to retrieve his book from under Harry's but Harry put his both hands on the book thus cutting off Draco's efforts. Draco's scowl deepened, but he recalled his father's lessons to always keep his cool and tried to calm down slowing down his breath. When that was accomplished in his estimation he raised his head and looked at Harry who was patiently waiting with unreadable expression on his calm pale face.

"Potter, do you mind?"

"I do actually." said Harry seating down opposite Draco.

"I mind what you are doing."

"Beg your pardon? And what exactly am I doing?" (Damn you father)

"You're stalking me. You're watching over me like a hawk. You follow me like a shadow. Your eyes are boring into me from every corner from every niche. I can feel you everywhere. And if you think that you are invisible you are dearly mistaken." hissed Harry dangerously. It made Draco shiver inside though he didn't show it and instead asked in his usual I'm-above-all manner.

"Potter, don't you think that you estimate yourself too high?"

"No. It is your prerogative and I prefer to leave it to you."


"Aren't we generous."

"If you say so."

"Potter, I don't see where is this conversation heading and frankly I don't want to, besides I was busy before you so rudely interrupted me."

"I will tell you where this conversation is heading."

"And why do you assume that I care?"

"And why do you assume that I care about what you care?"

"Potter…" growled Draco, "I'm warning you…"

"Oh, don't try to be intimidating with me. It won't work."

"Really?"

"Yes. Now you will listen to me. I have a deal for you."

Draco snorted:

"A deal, Potter and you think I need any deals with you?"

"A deal, Malfoy. If you so need to be near me I will let you."

Another snort from Draco.

"But not as a stalker. As a companion. You will be spending time with Ron and me."

"Is it some new joke that I haven't heard yet? No one ever made me laugh before. But you Potter will be the first one."

"Love to be the first one."

"Ambitious, aren't we?"

"Maybe. But that's not the point. So do we have a deal?"

"Why would I have a deal with you?"

"Maybe because you need to keep watch on me?"

Draco narrowed his eyes.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Harry laughed:

"Me? Talking?"

"What do you know?"

"Absolutely nothing."

Draco snorted again. Harry rose his hands in defense.

"The only thing I know is that for some reason you're watching my every step. And I don't like being watched. But I'm providing you with the perfect opportunity to know my every step not from afar but right by my side."

"I never dreamt about being by your side."

Harry smiled innocently his eyes sparkling humorously.

"I really wouldn't know what kind of dreams you might have about me."

That was probably the first time in Draco's life that he started blushing. Cursing Potter for reminding him what kind of dreams he had about him Draco willed his blush away again taking control over his emotions.

"So you allow me to spend time in immediate proximity. What do you want in return."

"In return? Malfoy, I'm a Gryffindor and we do everything out of the goodness of our hearts. But, if you mention it… there is something you could do…"

"Some Gryffindor you are."

"I want you to not only spend time with both Ron and I but to do exactly what we are doing that is studying."

"My grades are good enough."

"Tut, tut, tut, Malfoy."

Draco shivered. That sound was so much like the one his father usually made when he found something that Draco dearly wanted to hide.

"Good enough? Is this your Slytherin pride? Good enough? But how about excellent? It always amazed me how you let Granger a muggle-born witch and me a half-blood wizard outstrip you in everything from studying to Quidditch. Don't you want to make your father proud at a long last?"

Draco was mulling over what Harry was telling him. Something changed in him and he wanted to find out what exactly. He wanted to know if his father had something to do with the change in the boy. He wanted to know what Potter really wanted and what he had to do with his father. There was a mystery behind it all and he was going to find it out. And all that Potter was saying was true. He didn't want to be second to no one. But he knew that in this arrangement he still would be the second because Potter was definitely going in the lead. But that was all right with Draco. Wasn't it what he wanted? To get to know Potter? And now he had the perfect opportunity. It wasn't quite clear what Potter would get from the so-called companionship and he still had to get on with Weasley but it was intriguing, Potter was intriguing and Draco was up for this challenge.

"I suppose," he drawled after a moment' silence, "that we should make sort of a truce?"

Potter smiled and stretched out his hand, which Draco shook. The moment was oddly satisfying. At a long last Potter took notice of him not as his school rival but as a companion in something. And Draco really liked it though he would never say it out loud.

"Join us?" asked Harry indicating to the table where Ron was expectantly waiting.

"Whatever why not."

At that very moment Hermione entered the library. She looked suspiciously and a bit frightened at Harry together with Draco Malfoy, but as long as she didn't want to attract their attention she went straight to Madame Pince.

"Shit!" muttered Harry as Draco and he sat down by Ron.

Draco raised an eyebrow and asked with a smirk:

"Regrets already?"

"No. Granger came for that book on Transfiguration. Remember the rare one? McGonagall said that there's only one in the library."

"What's so special about the book?" asked Draco.

"It's a book on rare animagus forms. McGonagall said that those who would write an essay based on this book would get top marks. Damn it, Malfoy, couldn't you agree earlier?"

"I'm a Malfoy I don't agree easily." said Draco with an air of superiority.

"So… what are we gonna do?" asked Ron.

"Watch me." said Harry with a look of a person who had a sudden brainwave.

He stood up and went to where Hermione was about to take the book from Madame Pince.

He ran up to them snatched the book from their hands and watched in utter fascination at the cover. Than he turned his unbelieving huge eyes at Madame Pince and said in awe:

"I can't believe you have that book. Do you know how rare it is?"

"Yes, Mr. Potter I happen to know exactly how rare this book is."

"I'm sure that Hogwarts and its students should never forget that we wouldn't have such great library with the rarest books of the kind if not for you Madame."

"Oh, Harry, you're too kind." said Madame Pince blushing like a schoolgirl.

"Oh, please." snorted Hermione after overcoming her initial shock and understanding what Harry was about to do, "he's just saying that to…"

"Don't listen to her," interrupted Harry giving Madame Pince his most alluring smile, which worked even on Ron, "I found to my great disappointment that Miss Granger likes to diminish other people's abilities when she's not the one to be praised. Don't you think it's a bit presumptuous on her part? You as a grown-up person who lives in such a fascinating world of books definitely must know something about people characters. Don't you think it's vanity and arrogance that is speaking in her?"

Madame Pince looked at Hermione with disapproval:

"Miss Granger I would never expect that from you of all people…"

"You don't know her Madame Pince. Not like I do. But unfortunately I learnt it the hardest way…" said Harry sadly. Madame Pince glared at Hermione who turned a bright shade of red and started stuttering.

"I d-didn't mean t-to offend you…"

"No you were just going to tell the person that always supplied us with best books and advice that I was flattering her only to get the book. Don't you think you have gone too far, Hermione? Why are you always accusing me of the most terrible things?"

Hermione didn't know what to say. By now the library was packed with on-lookers and Harry's speech did nothing to improve her situation.

"I'm sorry," said Harry brokenly closing his eyes, "I just…"

"It's all right, dear, "said Madame Pince giving Hermione a stern glare that clearly told her that getting books would become a problem, "I think you should go and join your friends. They are waiting."

Harry opened his eyes, unshed tears glittering in them:

"Thank you. I will take this book, right? My friends and I wanted to work on that essay that professor McGonagall assigned us."

"Of course you can dear." she said in a motherly way that was so unlike her clapping him on the back.

Harry smiled brightly at her and went through the crowd of sympathetic faces leaving red-faced embarrassed humiliated and bookless Hermione to join Ron and Draco who were by that time in different states of shock. Draco was watching as Harry Potter the epitome of Gryffindor House was shamelessly playing on feelings of others putting up the performance of the century with tears in his eyes. Ron though already used to certain changes in his friend couldn't believe that Harry was actually doing that and with audience to boot.

When Harry sat down putting the book in front of them Draco smirked and said:

"Excellent performance, Potter. Top marks."

Harry bowed his head.

"Well thank you."

"I can't believe you did it!" whispered Ron still in deep state of shock.

"A la guerre comme a la guerre, Ron. I didn't start it. I just asked for some help a person I though I could trust. But…"

Draco listened attentively. He knew that Harry and Granger had fallen out after all he had seen the scene with his own eyes, but he couldn't hear much. But he thought that they would get together very soon. After all they were as thick as thieves for all their Hogwarts' life, but by the looks of it it wasn't just some petty row. Of course he didn't believe in the story of their going out and break up and he wanted to know what was the reason for such a breach. As far as Draco understood Granger had deeply hurt Potter and he wanted to know in what way exactly. He had a lot of things to learn and a lot of things to write to his father. But before he could think of what he might ask from his father for befriending Potter Granger came up to their table and hissed:

"Think you so smart, Harry?"

"I don't remember inviting you to our table." answered Harry looking her straight in the eyes.

"I see you've got a new friend here? How interesting. And have you already told him that you are sleeping with his father?"

Harry's jaw hardened as well as his look while Ron's jaw dropped and Draco exclaimed "What!" though he was completely ignored.

"No, Granger I didn't tell him that and do you know why?"

"Wanted to keep it a secret?"

"No, it's simpler than that. I didn't tell him because it's a lie, nothing but a figment of your sick imagination. And now would you mind… we're working here and your mudblood presence is polluting the air."

Hermione didn't expect that as well as the other occupants of the table and holding back her tears of anger, humiliation and frustration left the library in a run.

Harry looked at Ron and Draco and snapped:

"What?"

"You have just called Granger a mudblood." pointed out Draco who was much quicker in coming out of all sorts of shock than Ron.

"So? It's true. Besides she accused me of sleeping with your father."

"Yes I heard that part as well. Is it true?"

"Of course not! Who do you think I am?"

"No need to yell at me, Potter. You Gryffindors know absolutely nothing about self-control. I think I'll have to teach you if I am going to spend so much time with you I don't think my nerves will handle that. But I was merely asking. Why would she accuse you of it in the first place?"

"She thinks that your father helped me with my potion on Monday and that's why I got top marks. She can't believe that I am good at something other than Quidditch." said Harry bitterly.

So that is the main reason. I wonder though. I remember my father and Potter during Potions. They seemed too close to each other and they were having quite an animated conversation. What is father's role in all of this? And what does he want from Potter? I wonder if it's true what Granger said? Can they be lovers? Odd but not impossible. I can even picture them together. Curious. Very curious. I'd like to see my mother's face when she finds out. Presumably if there is anything to find out. Maybe with just a bit of blackmail I will make father talk. I wonder. This arrangement is not such a bad thing after all. And what with Potter's methods in order to get what he wants. He can manipulate people. He even manipulated me into this. Those smiles of his. Those huge eyes of his. Intriguing and alluring. I definitely start liking him for who he is. But he's a one piece of mystery. Damn father if he has already got his eyes on him, or hands…